The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) are planning to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA's ethics committee regarding Donald Trump's intervention in the Folarin Balogun affair during the World Cup, according to reports.
Background of the controversy
Balogun became embroiled in the tournament's most contentious episode after the USA forward received his marching orders during their second-round triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The dismissal should have resulted in a one-match suspension, sidelining him for their following fixture against Belgium in the last 16. Yet that sanction was put on hold for a one-year probationary spell after Trump applied pressure on FIFA from behind closed doors. He directly contacted Gianni Infantino to insist that Balogun remained available for selection against Belgium.
Trump additionally mobilised a dedicated team of White House associates and legal experts to build a case alongside US Soccer, the country's national governing body.
Norway's complaint
It has now emerged that the NFF intend to lodge a complaint about the Balogun controversy, which provoked widespread condemnation throughout the football community and has not been quietly brushed aside. They will seek clarification from FIFA's ethics committee, with NFF president Lise Klaveness cautioning against efforts to bury the scandal.
Speaking to The Times, she said: "When you bend a rule like this, you're on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk. It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game."
"First of all, it should not have happened. It is very important now to have honest communication around it. We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process."
"We need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error. If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behaviour and the organisation's behaviour, and also the red line of what states' leaders should interfere with."
Previous concerns
Norway previously raised concerns about Trump receiving the FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw ceremony in December, arguing it had violated rules on political neutrality. Klaveness, a qualified lawyer, added: "When you make controversial decisions, and when there has been an external, very powerful voice in your ear, it's very important that you have more voices [making the decision] and if you don't, it's a mistake."
"This case was so serious and so worrying that I hope that it might contribute to bring people out a little bit and don't fear to bring up cases."
"I will bring it to a board meeting and discuss with my board, and then we do it. To me, it should be in the same sphere of ethical complaint."
"To try to sweep this under the carpet now will not fly. Too many felt this, coaches, players, fans, that this was too close to the game."
